2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON Owner's Manual

248 Controls in detailLoadingReturning seat backrest to original po-
sition
1Seat cushion
2Seat backrest
Swing seat backrest2 to the rear until
it engages.

Swing seat cushion1 to the rear and
press down from the rear of the cush-
ion until it audibly engages.

Swing the head restraint forward by
hand until it engages.
iIf the rear center seat is to be occupied
while driving, it may be necessary to
fold the seat belt buckle up again.
Warning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied, or the ex-
tended cargo compartment is not in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo.

249 Controls in detail
Loading
Adjusting seat backrest position
1Release catch
2Seat backrest

Pull right seat release catch1 up and
fold seat backrest forward.

With the seat backrest released, pull
release catch1 up again.

Pull left seat release catch1 up and
fold seat backrest forward.

With the seat backrest released, pull
release catch1 up again.

Fold left seat backrest to the rear until
it engages.

Fold right seat backrest to the rear until
it engages.
The seat backrests are now in the alter-
native position.
Expanding the cargo compartment
Removing the rear seat cushions will pro-
vide you with a larger, flat cargo compart-
ment.
Fold the seat cushions forward
(page 247).
1Release lever

Pull seat cushion release lever1 and
remove the seat cushion by pulling it
upward.

Remove the head restraints
(page 129).
iThe seat backrests can be placed in an
alternative upright position. This cre-
ates a larger cargo compartment area
or provides for improved seating com-
fort on the folding bench seat, if re-
quired.

250 Controls in detailLoading
Fold the seat backrest forward
(page 247).
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage / cargo should not ex-
ceed the load limit or vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the corresponding
placard which can be found on the driver’s
door B-pillar.The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against
front or rear seat backrests, and fasten
them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should al-
ways be kept as low as possible since it in-
fluences the handling characteristics of
the vehicle.
!Leave the seat cushion hinge in this po-
sition. The upholstery could be dam-
aged if you fold the hinge back.

251 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo tie-down rings
Four rings1 are located in the cargo com-
partment.
Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all rings with rope of suffi-
cient strength to hold down the cargo.
Always follow loading instructions
(page 250).Rear seat
There is a cargo tie-down ring located on
each side of the footwell under the rear
seat.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or car-
go in the cargo compartment if possible. Do
not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
seat backs.
Never drive vehicle with tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.

252 Controls in detailLoadingCargo management system* (Canada only)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo
management system and accompanying
accessories which enables you to utilize
your cargo compartment in a variety of
ways. You can store the cargo manage-
ment system in the pouch that comes with
the vehicle.
1Cargo railsInserting the mounting elements into
the cargo rails
1Cargo rail
2Mounting element
You can move the mounting element to
various engaging points on the cargo rail
and fix it in place.
These engaging points are located
2 inches apart from one another on the
cargo rail and are indicated by markings.
iThe pouch and telescoping rod can be
placed in the storage box in the cargo
compartment.

253 Controls in detail
Loading

Turn mounting element 2 toL.

Insert mounting element 2 in cargo
rail 1.

Turn mounting element 2 until it en-
gages in the‹ position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.Inserting the cargo tie-down ring in the
mounting element
1Cargo tie-down ring
2Mounting element

Turn mounting element 2 in the cargo
rail toN.

Insert cargo tie-down ring 1 into
mounting element 2.

Turn mounting element 2 until it en-
gages in the‹ position.
Y o u s h o u l d b e a b l e t o f e e l t h e m o u n t i n g
element engage in the cargo rail.
iYou can turn the mounting element in
the cargo rail to four positions:
‹To lock the mounting element.
NTo insert or remove the cargo
tie-down ring, the belt reel or
the telescoping rod.
LTo insert or remove the mount-
ing element.
STo move the mounting element
to the next engaging point.
Warning!
G
The cargo tie-down rings should be subject
to equal loads. Make sure to comply with
the information provided in the loading in-
structions (
page 250).

254 Controls in detailLoadingBelt reel
1Belt reel
2Mounting element
3Locking button

Insert two mounting elements 2 into a
cargo rail.

Turn mounting element 2 in the cargo
rail toN.

Insert belt reel 1 into mounting ele-
ment 2.

Turn mounting element 2 in the cargo
rail until it engages in the‹ posi-
tion.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.

Press locking button 3 on the belt reel
and pull cargo net out in direction of ar-
row.

Place load between the cargo net and
the side wall of the cargo compart-
ment.

Press locking button 3 on belt reel.
With the other hand, slowly pull net
over load until it is taut.Telescoping rod
1Telescoping rod
2Mounting element
iThe belt reel can be used to tighten
light-weight loads against the side wall
of the cargo compartment, thus secur-
ing them from slipping.
iThe telescoping rod can be used to
tighten the load against the rear seats
so as to secure it from slipping.

255 Controls in detail
Loading

Insert one mounting element 2 into
each cargo rail.

Turn mounting element 2 in cargo rail
toN.

Insert telescoping rod 1 into mount-
ing element 2.

Turn mounting element 2 in cargo rail
until it engages in the‹ position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.Storage box in cargo compartment
(Canada only)
1Storage boxWarning!
G
When you are using the storage box in the
cargo compartment, the backrests of the
seats in front of it must be completely en-
gaged to the rear, and the twin roller blind
must be installed.
Do not exceed the storage box’s maximum
load of 44 lbs (20 kg), as it could otherwise
become detached during an accident or
sharp braking maneuvers, and could injure
you or other passengers.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.